My 6 month old became constipated once she started eating solid food. What can I do?
You mentioned that you have a 6 month old who's recently started solids, and you noticed that she's become constipated. And many parents do notice a change in their baby's stools when they introduce solids. They usually become a little more formed, maybe have a little more of an odor to them, and they might go less frequently. These changes are normal, but if your baby is excessively fussy, spitting up more than usual, goes a few days without a bowel movement, or the stools are unusually hard, they're coming out like little pebbles, or your baby has to strain significantly to get it out, then the chances are very high that she's constipated. So of course that leaves you wondering what you should do about it.
You can give your baby some juice. Apple and pear juice are known to loosen things up and help babies pass stool more easily. Up to 3 to 4 ounces per day is totally fine. You can also call your pediatrician and ask about giving your baby a little bit of water because sometimes an increase of fluids will help as well. Do keep in mind that your baby is suppose to drink only formula or breastmilk until a year of age, but when things like this come up, it is okay to give a little bit of juice or water. Now in your situation, you mentioned that your baby won't take a bottle. Continue to try it, and just offer it to her. Put the nipple in her mouth gently, maybe drop a little bit on her tongue, and if she get the taste for it, then she might be more likely to try it because it's going to be pretty yummy to her.
If you started introducing rice cereal first, which is what a lot of parents do, then that might be the reason why she's constipated. Rice cereal is actually known to cause constipation, and so are bananas. And so try other foods that are higher in fiber, like prunes, apricots, and peas. See if this helps to loosen her stool. And it is best, when you're introducing solids, to just give a new food once every 2 to 5 days so that you can watch for any signs of reaction. So if you haven't given her, say prunes, before, you could start today, but don't introduce something else that's new for a few days just to watch for signs of allergy in case they were to occur.
If these suggestions aren't helping, then give your pediatrician a call. And after asking you more specific questions, they can give you further advice. Good luck with everything, and if you have any other questions for me in the future, feel free to ask them on our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/IntermountainMoms, and recommend us to your friends and family too.
You mentioned that you have a 6 month old who’s recently started solids, and you noticed that she’s become constipated. And many parents do notice a change in their baby’s stools when they introduce solids. They usually become a little more formed, maybe have a little more of an odor to them, and they might go less frequently. These changes are normal, but if your baby is excessively fussy, spitting up more than usual, goes a few days without a bowel movement, or the stools are unusually hard, they’re coming out like little pebbles, or your baby has to strain significantly to get it out, then the chances are very high that she’s constipated. So of course that leaves you wondering what you should do about it.
You can give your baby some juice. Apple and pear juice are known to loosen things up and help babies pass stool more easily. Up to 3 to 4 ounces per day is totally fine. You can also call your pediatrician and ask about giving your baby a little bit of water because sometimes an increase of fluids will help as well. Do keep in mind that your baby is suppose to drink only formula or breastmilk until a year of age, but when things like this come up, it is okay to give a little bit of juice or water. Now in your situation, you mentioned that your baby won’t take a bottle. Continue to try it, and just offer it to her. Put the nipple in her mouth gently, maybe drop a little bit on her tongue, and if she get the taste for it, then she might be more likely to try it because it’s going to be pretty yummy to her.
If you started introducing rice cereal first, which is what a lot of parents
do, then that might be the reason why she’s constipated. Rice cereal is actually known to cause constipation, and so are bananas. And so try other foods that are higher in fiber, like prunes, apricots, and peas. See if this helps to loosen her stool. And it is best, when you’re introducing solids, to just give a new food once every 2 to 5 days so that you can watch for any signs of reaction. So if you haven’t given her, say prunes, before, you could start today, but don’t introduce something else that’s new for a few days just to watch for signs of allergy in case they were to occur.
If these suggestions aren’t helping, then give your pediatrician a call. And after asking you more specific questions, they can give you further advice. Good luck with everything, and if you have any other questions for me in the future, feel free to ask them on our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/IntermountainMoms, and recommend us to your friends and family too.
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